The Sun. — London, England, 1838-02-15 00:00:00

ABOLITION OF NEGRO APPREN TICESHIP. CITY OF LONDON TAVEiZN.—(YESTERDAY.) ( F, - om our Second Edition of last night. ) A meeting was this day held at t h e Cit y of London Tavern, Bishops gate-street, for the purpose o ' f petition:a , Parliament fur the speedy term i n ation of negro apprenticeship in the Colonies. The Great Room ea considerably crowded, and amongst the persons . present there ran ofa ry large proportion of lailes, and of members of the ge frauds. At one o'clock precisely the Chair wss taxen by Sir Matthew 'Wood, Part. The Calm:m.ls said, that having been called on by several friends to take that place, he could net but express great pleasure in attending such a meeting, and he m duty had not steam steamed meow, an abler person Butlly regretted that the lie could not refuse the request of his constituents, Ise:rause he thought that he was at all times bound-to perform a duty of that, kind, when called on by his r ee `ow citizens.= (Hear.) He was not well aceuainted with the subject miali e 2resent meeting, but hibelieved that the eoisditicn of the Negroes 'was tat sasproved by the apprenticeship Y Itsaniament ought to interfere in their beaaslE'Ll area he thought that Lila d on Me Scnosems,wao said that he had been deputed a dby , the Central Negro tertancipation Conernitleee to toy before the meeting statemen t of flits. ; object which they had in view of die means to be token to advance it cad of the ground on which they appeared be ore the public. ihtir objec was simply to !introduce into the Colonies unqualified liberty, instead o the present systeht of bondage.—(Herr, hear.) Their means of effactin this would be by presenting to the public attention the facts of the case, a mid to pour into both Houses of the Legislatuee petltitio e in favour o th e great object. The Committee, upon the most anxious aani tatsorio inquiry, felt jus'lds'l i n tak ing their present position. In the ye - 7 t he Imperial Parliament for the abolition 1833 an A: t Wa' peseta, -: ... 4 sa d riogroes had long felt that th slavery. B e fee: that the frien as s el n a e amen by their previa latter were entitlen to all the rights or _ 4 , s try . ....(ifear , hear. sufferings, their patience, and unrequited in... -:.fed a statu In no part of that Act was it stated that there ever ex -a, which gave to any man a property in his fellow-man. Put the .: eipaSion of the negro was qualified by a system of apprenticeship, wh ere• by slavery was continued in effect,. although abolished in name. ] To carry the Imperial Act into effect was committed to the Colonial Legislatures ; and he would show the meeting how they had exesu.f ed the trust, for which this country had paid them 20,000,0001. The Act provaim: that the apprentices should be supplied with sufficient food, either from a::atments of land to be cultivated by themselves, or from the stores of their raaatera ; and it was provided that in those colo nies where the allotment system nrevail., ed, the negro should work 40 % hours per week for the benefit of his ram t er '. these hours to be distri. buted over the first five days of the week, and the apprentice to be al lowed the half of Friday for the cultivation of the ilotule,o, t, to supply himself with provisions, and to have the whole of Saturday for tlisieo.por pose of as selling the produce of his labour. But the power of ttlps . was left to the masters, both as to the quantity and quality of the l ama, and the distance from the negro's homestall ; and in some instances the allotment was twenty miles distant from the hut, so that the apprentice had to travel on his half Friday twenty miles from his hut to cultivate his piece of land on the side of a mountain, or in the depth of a ravine; am! had, moreover, to carry b..ck his provisions the same distance.—(Shame, shame.) The masters had further the power of mulcting the negroes (under the penal enactments) of the whole of their Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year, so that they could only cultivate their allotments on the Sabbath.—(Shame.) So far was this carried, that Sir Lionel Smith, in one of .his despatches, recommended that they should be supplied with provisions fr°m their masters' stores. —(Hear.) In the other colonies, where they w ere s anplied with food from the masters' stores, as in British Guiana, the 45 hour: of labour were scattered over the entire six days ; whereby the apprentices ;.'ere deprived of the Sabbath, and as much labour was extorted from them by the tariff of the planters as when the cart-whip was carried in the field. Every advantage intended by the Legislature was taken from them. In many cases, the fish which the masters used to supply the slaves with was withheld from the apprentices ; although it was well known that a Negro in the West Indies could not live in health upon vegetable food alone.—(Shame.) Mr. S. then went into various details to show that in the Colonies where the apprentices were fed from the stores of their masters the supply of food had been reduced in some places one-half, in others two.thirds, and in others four-fifths. Thus, in British Guiana 21 pints of farinaceous food used to be allowed per week—that was reduced to 10 pints—(Shame)—in Nevis 9 pints per week—in Trinidad to 6—and in Tortola to 4 pints of farinaceous food per week for a labouring Negro.—(Shame.) He was sorry to say that that laufhad received the sanction of the Crown!—(Great indignation.) During his stay in Guiana he had brought under the consideration of the Governor there some facts connected with the present subject. He had stated to him that the allowance made to the Negroes was not more than sufficient to sustain them three days in is week ; that the planters had allowed their plantations to go out of cultivation ; and he im pressed upon him the fact, that unless something was done to enforce the planters to increase their plantations, or keep a larger supply of fari. naceous food, there would very shortly be a famine in the Colony. Upon this his Excellency issued a proclamation, restoring the Negroes to the allowance of farinaceous food to which they were entitled as slaves. Upon this the planters had a meeting, from whence a deputation waited upon his Excellency, headed by Doctor M'Turk, a name that would ever be viewed with horror by the enemies of slavery.— (Cheers.) In consequence of this deputation, his Excellency ordered the proclamation to be suspended for six months ; the persons forming that deputation stating to the Governor, that if the twenty-one pints of farinaceous food to each Negro were insisted upon, there would be a famine in the Colony in less than three weeks. Since that period, the proclamation had been further suspended till the pleasure of her Majesty's Ministers should be known, and thus the Negroes were left to starve.—(Cheers.) The next point to which he would ad. vert, was with respect to the law regulating the punishment to be in. flicted upon the Negroes under their new state of bondage. Mr. Stanley, when he introduced his famous resolutions upon thesubject, stated that the negroes were in every respect tobe entitled to the privileges and advan tages of British subjects; that they were to bear in their persons no taint of a servile condition, but were to he elevated to the dignity of free men, subject only to the restriction of being compelled to work forty-five hours weekly for the benefit of their present owners, who, after the Ist of Au gust, were to become their employers. The Hon. Gentleman then went into a long and beart-rending statement of the privations and punish ments to which the negroes were subject, which called forth the lingua titled condemnation of the meeting, and concluded by expressing his firm conviction that a voice would go forth from the meeting that would shake the Colonies to their centre, and would compel them, however reluct antly, to give justice to their Negro brethren.—(Cheers.) The great strength with which they had to contend was at home, and in the Cabinet, and their only course was to breathe into the nostrils of the leviathan the wishes of a whole nation, and by that means crush them for ever.— (The Hon. Gentleman sat down amid much cheering.) Mr. PAT,I3ON rose to propose the first resolution. When he first came forward as a candidate fur the honour of representing the city of London in Parliament, he had been asked what his principles were with respect to slavery, and he then said, that as long as lie breathed he should ire its decided enemy.—(Cheers) Such being his opinion, he thought he was in duty bound to attend the present meeting.—(C eers ) The meeting had heard front Mr. Schobell details that were harrowing in the extreme; he hoped, however, that such scenes as he had described were not general. Sufficient, however, had been stated to call upon the Legislature to interfere, and put a stop to such practices : in what way that was to be done would be for the consideration of Parliament. And he could assure the meeting, when the subject was brought forward in the House of Commons, any measure that was calculated to improve the condition of the negroes would meet with his most cordial support.—(Cheers.) Upon principle Ise appeared before them, and upon principle he moved the first resolu. tion, which was to the effect—that the meeting, regarding colonial slavery, under any name however modified, as repugnant to the Bri tish Constitution, contrary to the dictates of humanity, and opposed to the principles of religion, condemned the same, and would never relax in its exertions against it, until the last vestige of slavery was merged in unconditional freedom.—(Cheers.) S. GURNEY, Esq., seconded the resolution. ' He was convinced that the system was as injurious to the Masters as to the Negroes themselves; and the statements made this day convinced him, that it became a mat ter of moral obligation to put an end to it immediately. He strongly recommended to his friends the book of Mr. Sturge, and concluded by seconding the resolution. Mr. Mawr begged to ask from what fund it was intended to compen. sate the planters for the two years which they would lose if the appren ticeship were immediately abolished ?—(Laughter, and cries of" Oh, oh.") fir. OPPENHE:M could not allow the question to go unanswered. He had resided many years in Jamaica, and he was ready to contend that it was to t..e Negroes the compensation was due for their wrongs and sufl'erings.—(Applause.) Twenty mil:ions had already been given to support in luxury an indolent race, who cried out that you were going to rob them of that which they had never earned, and to which they never had a right.—(Cheers) The planters were the real robbers ; they robbed the labourer of his hire, and their fellow-men of their wiener, able rights.—(Great applause.) Mr. ALEXANDRu moved the second resolution. He felt it his duty as a Christian to come forward in endeavouring to rescue from misery 600,000 of his fellow creatures. Cf the nature and extent of that misery, there was abundant proof in the laws of the Colonies, the reports of the Governors, and Parliamentary documents. He asked them, should we not, as Christians, do everything in our power to terminate so much sufferitm, and not allow it to be protracted for two years more?—(hear, hear.) He could not omit to refer to the honourable conduct of Lord Howick, who withdrew from the Administration, of which his father was the head, rather than give his sanction to a measure *filch would continue slavery under the name of freedom.—(Cheering.) Sorry he was that a Stanley was to be found in the British Senate to introduce a measure to indict intolerable suffering on 600,000 of his fellow creatures.—(Hear, hear, hear.) But he (Mr. A.) was acquainted with circumstances which led him to hope • th:it the petition of the meeting would be supported by a majority of British senators.—(Cheers.) The resolution was to the effect :—" 'That it is the deliberate opinion of this meeting that the Act passed by the British Legislature in 1833 for the abolition of slavery has become, in the hands of e its administrators, a system of bondage more rigid and inhuman than the system it was meant to supersede. That the attempt to combine slavery arid free.lom under the na.ne of apprenticeship has signals. failed of its object—neutralised the efforts of the friends of the no.. gross—and defeated the just expectations of the suffer ing and oppressed." The Rev. Dr. BURiSET, in seconding the resolution, would not occupy the meeting at great length, because he wished that it should be a London meeting, and express the opinions of the people of Londor. He did . not view the question merely in connexion with the immediate object of the meeting, but as it n fated to the prince. pies of pure liberty and Christian justice. With some it was re garded as merely a commercial question. Etch was the view taken by the gentleman who had asked—" What more will you give the plenters ?"—(Laughter.) With that gentleman there was no question of human rights —none of the principles of eternal justice —none of the present honour or future glory of this great country, when it will be said in future generations, "Shame upon the history of Britain— she supported slavery!"— ( Cheers.) With that question there was no question of morality, or of the injunctions of Christianity.—(Great cheering.) 'I he hi g h ground of principle i.e (Er. Dixon) entirely abandoned.—(Hear, hear.) But he (Dr. B.) would not object to argue the question upon commercial grounds. The questions was coked for tire planters by their friends, "How much will you give us fur having tricked you ?"—(Cheers and laughter.) They had broken their bargain, and now they asked for payment for the trick.—(A laugh.) Dr. Burnet then went on, at considerable length, to comment on the provisions of the" Twenty Millions Act"—fur he would not call it the " Abolition Acs"—to show that the planters had broken faith, and vio lated the compact, by their treatment of the apprentices. Amongst father things, the author of the Act, Mr. Stanley, then Colonial Sarre. tary, recommend,l to the Colonial L^gislature that the tints exacted from a master, for ill treatment of an apprentice, should go In part to the injured apprentice, by way of compensation ; but to this the maters would ty no means consent.—(Shame, shame.) Well, he would give them the compensation which they gave the apprentices.—(Cheers and laughter.) 'I he Rev. Gentleman concluded, amidst great applause, by seconding the resolution. Mr. S. Fox moved, and the Rev. Mr. CAREY 'seconded, the next li reso lution, to the effect, that no act, short of complete ema nc ip a ti on, can isfy the claims of justice, humanity, and religion ; that as the share.. liters have received the enormous grant of 20,000,0001. to secure th e i r acquiescence in a great act of national justice—and that it has been k proved that the Imperial Statute has been evaded or violated—this meet. ing earnestly deprecates the re.appointment of the Parliamentary Com mittee of inquiry into the apprenticeship system as unnecessary, and pro. tests against any legislation which does not secure complete freedom on or before the Ist of August, 1838. Mr. PEWTRESS moved the next resolution. In doing so he had to bring the attention of the meeting to the remarkable fact, that in those colonies, such as Antigua, &c., where total emancipation had taken place, it was found to be as beneficial to the masters as to the apprentices ; and lie had this morning met with a gentleman had been the from Antigua, who assured hini that such THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1838. PRICES OF CANALS, DOCK STOCKS, ASSURANCE COMPANIE'S,&c. &c. &C. LO:sTDON, TUESDAY, FEB. 13. Number Diridenu Price of per CANALS. per sbares. Annum. Paid. Share 1,766 7 pet cent. .Sshton and o:dham......iiverage 971. Ns. sh. 135 1,482 41 . Ashby-de-le-Zouch ......... Average 1113/. sh. 65 1,260 ...... ... Basingstoke lOOl sh. 5 1,005 5/. Brecknock and Abergavenny l 5 O/. sh. 100 5,000 1-16e1t. 9! 6s. Birmingham, 1-10th share 811 & 711. 220 4 . 0 0• 1 ........ Ditto a:iil Lirerpool Junct...l2s/ eh. 100 pd t.. 6 600 :2. Brideevratcr and Taunton --MI sh. all pd 64 400 4/ Chelmer and Bled:water .. 100/ sh. 102 500 ita. Coventry 130/ sh. 700 4,545 . ~..„ Croydon. . 2 4 ,000 4 per cent. O anune and Payne 2,9-501 4 , . G. Dudley lOO/. sh. 83 0,10 71. D er b y 100 / . s h . 133 .Average 31/.25. 10d. sh. 3 411. 13s. 4d .pd 331 ,1 3,5751 3/. Ellesmere and Chester Average 133/. sh. 77 201 401. Erewash 1001. sh. 000 1,297 23/. Forth and Clyde Average 4001.165. th. 55 5 'IMO 12/. Grand Junction 100!. sh. 220 ?s4lll} 11, Grand Union 1001. sh '25 5,500 ......... Grand Surrey ....... , .......... lox'l. ah. 20 90,e,001. 41. percent, Ditto (optional) 1.2a . n - • 100/. 70 3,6•55 „..„.., Grand 'Western 600 101.10 s. 2d. Glamorganshire, Average cost 1721. 13s. 40. 40 740 105. Grantham 150/. sh. 202 6 ,238 SI. Os. Huddersfield Average 57/. 6s. 6d. ah. 37 2 100 . .. Kensington 100 sh. all pd. 10 5,3 ' 48 11.55. Kennet. n 1 Avon, Average 39/. 18s. 10d. sh. 26 2,397} 211. Leeds and Liverpool 100/. sh. 600 5451 13/. Leicester l4Ol. sh. 225 1,897 41. 10s. Leicester and Northampton... Aver 6'3/. IN. 91 2,400 101. Monmouthshire 100/.Bln 200 150 104 Melton Mowbray 1001. eh. 200 500 251. Mersey and Irwell 1001. sh. 565 MOO 11. 10s. Maccl. - T.ficl.l IVO/. sh. all pd. 52 247 17/, I . eath lOO/. sh. 3z 1, 7 86 304 O x f or d 1(X 1 1, 1111, 2,400 2,400 5/. Peak Forest Avei.ge nNt44 74 fib. 1 0 4 1,118 123. Regent's (or London ) , 4 *e.T. AN. lOs. Bd. sh,, 16 5 ,609 6/. per cent. I - 004441a 0 . .. ~ . Average 85/. sh. 111 anti 'W. . Shibpihire • ' 1251 Eh 138 800 91. 101. Sornerset Coal ,1 5011, sh. 151 3,600/. 41 per cent. Ditto Lock Fund Stock .„„,,,,,„44. 10e, sh. Ili 700 401. Stafford end Vitweeetes . . l4O/. sh. 710 5 1 '2 0 y' 3 011 •0: S.l4e,s. StOurbridge sh3ITY ......tt... .. .sn a lO5/. ah. 280 1451. sh. 330 3,647 21. is. Stratford-on-Avon...Average 791. 95. CAL sh. 50 533 10/. Swansea 1001. sh. 23') 3,762 I/. I ss. , Sercrn and Wye and Railway... Ar. 351. sh. j'' •;,l';`.l eh. 32/. les. Trent and iVersey, I share 1 , 0 c4 .. 1 . - 4 ' 1 4 .9 ~” ..... 'ThAinc, 'MI ~ 3 1 ..'•• • - vser. 191:ga. Bd, s . 2 - ... _' - .eute-,400., .. 0 , - . I ,6005h.1 i 0). Warwick a.id Birmingham . 1,06015h.5 •,'" 9P,0) 11/. Warwick and Napt lOOl. sh. 185 8,000 41.05, Wurceat , r and Birmingliarn...Av.79/.Bs. sh. 701 5,000 253. \Vilts ana Berks .. Average 671. 101. 80. sh. 22 600 3/. Wyrley and Essington 1251. sh 74 1 - ..0 ..... •• WitiheaCh • 0..... lttsl. sh. 45 3,69°5k 11. Wey end Aruu 110 1..h. 71 DOCKS. 00 100/. sh. 7 1 , 065 1 ,h 1 Sp. c Commercial 4081671/. 6 per et. Fast India Stock 107 3,234,3101/. 505, p. ct. London Ditto Bonds 9O 1,380,0004 41/. p. et. %Vest India Stock 101 0,209 21. IN. Bristol kb3,324/. 51. per cent. Ditto Notes, various amounts ll3 1352,750 5 percent. St. Kathatine stock 101 500,000 41 per cent. Ditto Bonds . 100 200.001 t set can.. Ditto Bonds lor 10 years 991 Shoreham Harbour 2.500 • Deptford I'ier OOl. sh. 3/. BRIDGES. 1,600 ICs. Hammersm.tii 5O/. sh. ' 221 7,231 Southwark, Old Av. CU 2s. Bd. sh. 2 1,700 1/. 15s. Ditto, New, of 71 per cent. 5O/. sh. 14 5,000 ... ...... Waterloo lOOl. all. 3 5,000 15a. Bd. Ditto, Old Annuities of 01. 6Ol. pd 19 5,000 16s. 4.d. Ditto, New Ditto of 71 401. pd 169 lIS 50,000/. 51. per cent. Ditto Bonds 0 5,941 17s Vauxhall Average /0/. SW. 3d. sh. 19 ASSURANCE COMPANIES. 2,000 31 106 Albion 500/. sh. 50/. pd SO 50,000 r 5 pa nd ens ./ 1 . Iss. t izsc .m e, a ß ri r , i i t e ish & Foreign 1001. sh. 101/. pd 131 1001. 69 50,000 6 per cent. D A i l t l 24,000 lll. per sh. Atlas 'sol. sh. 5/. pd 14 1,200 Oh. 5/. Birmingham 1 ire 2501.4h. 55/. pd 1071 20,000 41 per cent. British Fire . 2501. sh. 501. pd 42 1 2.000 61. per cent. British Commercial 501, sh. 51. pd 61 - -^ 5/, percent. Clerical, Medi .Al,&c. Life, ICO/.sh. 2110 s pd 4 5,000 ' ' 4 . County 1001. sh. 101. pd 42 4,000 gt 0• --o .ete . 20,000 ss. r....„, zo 05 per cent.l Ec0n0..... 1 . c l ' ii° lOOOl. sh. 2501. pd 375 /and 301 bs. 0 0/. sit. all pd 22 2,271 225. per cent. European LI: , 201. sh. 2/. pd If 50,000 2s. Ditto, New - k 151 1,000,0001. 7/. per ct. Globe ,... __ 20,000 51• Guardian lOO/. sh. 0711 pd 335 40,000 6s. Cd. Hope 501. ch. 51. pd 51v 2,400 5/. 7s. 6d. Imperial Fire 500/. sh. 50/. pd 1269 7,500 9s. Imperial Lite 100/. sh. 10!. pd 10 13,458 4/. per cent. Indemnity Marine 140/. all. 8/. p 4 20 2,020 31 lOs Kent Fire 501. sh. all pd 12 3/. Ditto Life 79 10,000 16s. Lew Life 100/. sh. 10/. pd 251 5,001 IN. London, Fir: 25/. sh. 121. 10s. pd 159 :3,900 10s. London, Ship 2 5 1. sh. 121. 10s. pd 151 _ 30,000 51. per cent. Palladium Lilo 50 /. sh. 2/. pa 21 5s Od 50,000 4/. per cent. Protector File 'Ol. sh. 2/, pd 17. 1 4 2,500 U. Provident Lime lOOl. sh. 10/. pd 90 100,000 ss. Rock Life 901, sh. 1/, lid 1 9 689,220/ 5/. percent. Royal Exchange Stock.,, t)59 6,000 5 per cent. University Lite lOO/. sh. 5/, pd bi 50,000 4 per cent. United Kingdom Life 2l. pd JOINT S LUCK BANKS 25,006 8 per cent. Agric. and Comm. of Ireland 25/. sh. 10/. pd 5,000 A ustrala,i3 4O/. sh. 401. pd 10,000 10 per cent. Bank of Bil mingharn SCI. sh. 10/. pd 10,000 10 per cent. Birmingham Bank .... 5Ol. sh. 5/. pd 3 , ),(t()4) 5 per cent. London and Westminster...l6ol sit. 00/. pd 3,000 4 per cent. Lancaster 1001. sh. ROL pd 25,600 Liverpool 1001 sh. 10/. pd 50,000 71 per cent Manchester and Liverpool/ 1001. sh. 151 pd Discount 20,000 7 percent. Manchester. 100/. sh. 251 pd 20,000 ... ...... Provincial Bank of Ireland...loo/. sh. 25/. pi 20,' CO National Bank of Ireland ...s 'l. sh 1791. pd 10,000 b per cent. National Provincial Eng. -MI. sh. 352. pd 10,000 Gloucestershire 5O/. sh. 101. pd 6,000 13 prr cent. Itempshire 501. sh. 51. pd GAS LIGHT AND COKE COMPANIES. 2,500 15 Es 641 Bath l3Ol. sh. 101. pd 5,000 British 4Ol. sh. 1r.4. pd :400 1 51 20 ;PN. e . " 51 1 Ditto 9'29 51 lOs Birmingham 51,1. sta. 4,200 2/ Os Bristol '2o ah . 1,500 3/ Ids Brighton 2Ol. sit. 730 31 lOs Ditto, New 2Ol. sh. IS!. pd 2,471 41 per cent. Brighton General 20/. sh. all pd 4,000 41. Continental Cansolidated lOO/. 621/.lxl 1,000 101. City of London „JOU/, sh. all pd 1,000 a. Ditto, Nov MU sh. 60!. pd 11,000 41, Ills. Equitable .... 'W. pd 10. 0 00 24 per cent. Imperial 800 52 per cent. Isle of 'filmset 251. sh. 201. Pd 2,350 Cl. per cont. I ndepetident 0 0/. sh. a l l Pd 9,000 31. per cent. Pheenix 5O/. sh. 39!. pd 1,000 4/. per cent. RatclitF lOW. sh. SO/. pd 4,000 South Metropolitan 5 O/. sh. IPI. Pd 8;200 5/. per cent. United General 5Ol sh. 4451. pd 210 51. per cent. Warwick 501. sh. 400 101. per cent Wakefield 23/. sh. s/1/. sh• 12,041) 31. Westminster Chartered 6,000 12s. Ditto New l ll, sh. 10 1 . Pt 060 Yarmouth 201. sh. 181. Pd WA') ER WORKS. 4,800 Ds. Birmingham 25!. sin 2.5 r. P dp 100/. s. 4,434 (31. Fast London Kent 5 2:1 5Z 21 2. 1 1. 0 s Gr.oad Junction ....Average 411 1351.004.11.. solti.. 372 10/. Liverpool, !tootle 2201. sh. r 6,166 21 2 11 / 1 1 5. 0 s N m c ,.. eav oe l h l e t :t e e r i l .i .o n i d l s o ,, n lr ß or r d idge Water A ., n w n j u l l . t ii i i e i s 1,000 4 per cent. &null London lOOl. sh. ' 8,194 41. West Middlesex ....Average 63/. 125. 9d. s h. ng 1,360 1/ lls York Buildi Co. Lessee Prop 1001 • ''' o " IRON RAILWAYS. 5,000 Birmingham and Derby ..... 2'l. Pd 9,500 Birmingham and Gloucester ........ .. 151 . P d 7,500 Birmingham, Bristol, and Thames Junction 15000 Bristol and Exeter 100/. sh. 10 pd 1430 Calcutta and Saugus 5O/. sh. 21. pd 7,500 Cheltenham and G. Westerii...lool. sh. 7 1 1 3,003 Clarence lOO/. sh. 100/, pd 12,000 8,000 Dublin and Kilkenny 1001. sh. 21 Pd 60,000 Eastern Co un ti es 25/. sh. 31. p.l Grand Junction 1001. , h. 95 1 . p a Great North of England 5, 0 .31 Great Western lOO/ sh. 054 pd 2,000 I lartlepool 160!. oh. 1 001 Pd _ 9,000 Hull and Seth y 'W. sh. 101. pd 10,0015 3: 2 5;0::: 1 1 1 1( 1 : 0 ) 3 3 1 01.1 it, percent. r ree c : i t t . . 100/. sh. 5/. P d m : a i a d i l itli,d a ci, S i n e (iß t l 3; l:l3 : ll:a hn n . . tw e:l i i hc e h ' s t e r ... 1 1 ,00 0; :i i . . 11. 5 ..,h 1 t i . - hi.„ :: o3(s34lll l . pixpi) .ol' 4,d ; 100 sti 1,500 11.55. Leicester and 'Su anni ngton - 501 . 61 ',',.. 1 / 1 I L , L.Dnidtoton Qaiu,tairs,te:ritnSi 10 per cent. Ditto Quarter Shares ................... 251. r•-• 12,000 London and Blackwell 25,000 20,( 1 00 : In a ' a m gre p as t m on . .....o.ol . . sh. 55011* Pd r° . ' l • Ditto ditto New o_sl. P 4 7,000 London and Croydon Trunk 2C/. sh. 2 1 1. Pd 7,01i0 Ditto Scrip 141. sh. 5/. pd 12,000 iO/ sh. 51. Pd London Grand Junction 10,000 Manchester and lii: in ingliarn 701 • 511 71. Pd North Mia4land. 1001. sh. 25/. pd ...... ... Northe• - n and Eastern lOOl. sh. ,1 . P' l 2 1, e ' 7 00 10/.l.er cent. AOOl .. 71, pd P st r:s .k to t t o s n a a n m il id W i ze tington ........................... h...1003,011...p__,1id. South Eastern and Dover ...... 9,000 T ha'n'es Haven 50 / . A 2/. 10s. P. 1,400 Westminster and Greenwich 50/. sh. 2!. psi O,OM ...... ... York and North Midland ... 50 . sin 121 ' Pd MINES. 8,000 Albion Copper 5/ , sh. nii. P 4 4,000 :1. 'os. A step ...... 14 sh 121. 105 Pd ................... 0 • • „ 0 , 7 , 0 10,000 ........ Anglo Mexican, iss. 5/. pm..- 10 °' '''' 1 Ditto Subscription ........................ 'l5l. Pa 2,000 1 1. Bolanos 10,0(10 1!. lOs Brazilian Imp. iss. 51. pm O5l. sh. '2Ol Pd 6,0 , 0 Macaubas is Cocaes United 2 31. A. 231/. pd 11,04.10 Ditto St. John Del Rey ''ol. sh. ' ll ' Pd 10,000 Bolivar Copper Company 00/. sh. 20/. p(1 10,1510 „.........„ Ditto Scrip 101. sh. 81. ixl 20,000 British Iron 5O/. sh. 5(1/ pd 6,000 British Copper 5l. sh. 4g. pd Cate Branca tiie lid Candonga 10,000 11 Copiapo 7ll. pd 8,500 ... Columbian, iss. 5/. pin. OO4 sh 120 pi 551. sh. 551. pd 2,850 3/. English 121 Its. pd 00,000 General Minihg Association...2o/. sh. 15/ • IA 6,155 Mexican Company 1001. sh. 5514 pd 3,000 Polberou Consols lO/. sh $l. pd 11,500 Real del Monte, Unregistered Ditto Loan Notes . 150/, pd 20,000 United :3lc•.ican, isa. 2 pus ....401. sh. ell Pd DR c Scrip Ditto Nev Scrip 5l pd West Cork 541/. sh. 50/. pd LITERARY INS 10011JTIONS. 1,000 London, with Bronze Ticket ...... ...75gs. sh. 1,500 London University 1001. sh. all lad 700 Russell 25gs. sh. King' College 100/. lal MISCELLANEOUS 10,000 jss. Australian Agricultural...JOU sh 261/. pd Loudon rli''li'°ei Lond onnle d. eddr:aallmid Manche'ter e,0(0) 41. per cent. British .American Land Company ... 211, ,1 10,000 61 per cent. Canada Company 100/. sh. 2.3/. pd aOO,OOO 51. per cent Upper Canada Loan City Bonds, 4 per cent se... ....... 1 5, 000 le 6e, General Steam Navigation -13/ sh. 131. pd 101. per cent. Hu !son's Bay Stock 2,000 IL London Corn. Sale Rooms Av, 751. sh. 8,000 Caoutchouc Company °5/ et, 211. pd New Brunswick Land Company 43/ pd 2,754 51. per cent. Reversionary Interest 50c...1001. A. 100 e p d ° 6:e3 51. per cent. Ditto New 100 /. sh. 70 /. pd -, 4,000 'Shames Tunnel 5Ol. sh. all pd 10,000 his. Van Die. nen's Land 100/. sh. 171. pd ..5 10 11 1271 56 6 91 LIST OF SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES. JAN. 30, 1838. BANKS. 1.500,001/. 61. p. et. Flank of Scotland V S.l/. 6 Bd. oh. a!! pd 190/. 2,0()0,0.0. p. ct. Royal of Scotland 100/. alt. all pd 500.01( . 1. sp. ct. British Linen Company 100/. sh. :.11 23:,1 3,000,0011. 61. p. ct. Commercial 5OOl. sh. 1001.1x1 1751. 3,100,0004 0. ct tional lOO/. sh. 101. Ixl 1811. 2,000,0001. 01. p. ct. Glasgow Union 950/. uh. 501. pd 1.0/. 1,000,0k01. 4p. ct. Western of Scotland 2001. sh 301. pd 40/. result, but he qualified the admia,sion by saying, that in that colony the Negroes were better educate I than in those in which the apprenticeship system was enibrced. The resolution - expressed the satisfaction of the meeting at 00 success of entire abolition in Antigua and Bermuda, and contrasted that result with :the working of the appren ticeship system in the ether colonies. Mr. C. G. FRY, in seconding the resolution, informed the meeting that he hoped they had their beloved Queen with them.—(Cheers.) A de putation had this morning waited on her with a petition for entire and immediate abolition, signed by 4,.`":49 ladies.—(licpeated cheers.) WILLIAM ALLEN, Esq., in moving the next resolution, declared him self to be an "abolitionist of the last century."—(Cheers) He adverted to the felonious conduct of the planters in the Mauritius, who had in troduced negroes imo the island contrary to law, and had the audacity to demand compensation to them.—(Shame.) The resolution was to the demand that petitions, founded on the resolutions, be presented to bath Houses of Parliament, and that the four Members for the City be re quested tC support that presented to the Commons. Mr. Alderman * . vittrg, s:conded the resolution. Thanks were then vote:l by r.ccia."7.7ation to the Hon. Alderman in the chair, and the meting separated. PRIVATE BUSINESS OF PARMA MENT.-(YESTERDAY.) ( From our Second Edition of last night.) SUB-COMMITTEE, No. IL—ON PETITIONS. Air. PALMER in the Chair. BELFAST WATERWORKS. The Committee on this petition was adjourned, by consent, to the 6th of March. I DEE BRIDGE ROADS. P,tition for nil road, Notices proved. In gnswg to the Chairman, it was stated that the Bill did not authorise the making any new work, or altering or obstructing any ancient way; neither the purchase of pro 7 perty, ncr the raising of money, nor the creation of new tolls. bill unc. - ppotioki. kitandini ()NM complied with. To be reported. - ELECTION COMMITTEES. From 0 ,;:- Second Edition of last niglit.) 1-S,—LPAST. kLFORD in the Chair, The Committee met at Half-past Three, Mr. ~:.. Mr. Thessiger, Mr. Austin, and Mr. Whitney, appeste4 ELY tire pet. l . tioners. Mr. D. Pollock and Mr. Murray for Lord Belfast. Mr, Has, rison and Mr. Andrews for Mr. Gibson. After the exchange of Lists, the Committee adjourned until Eleven o'Clock to-morrow morning (this day). IPSWICH. This morning the scrutiny recommenced at the usual hour—the ground of objection being still the change of residence. The Liberals struck off the vote of Mr. J. Newson. They then objected to the vote of Mr. Rice. It was ;roved that early in last car he became bankrupt, and had not received a certificate; and a person named Birch, a ho had been in his service, took possession and carried on fhb bljsiness. On the other side it vi 34 contended that this was an objection which should have been taken at the reghjtry. Alter deliberating some time, the Committee decided that the vote was bad. • The Liberals objected to the vote of Mr. Snell; but the obje:tion was disab9weci. They were proceeding upon another vote when it we; announced that Mr. speaker was at prayers. We ought to have mentioned that Mr. Fonnereau's vote was allowed. JOXBURGH. The Comm.:ftee met at Eleven oTlock. Mr. Servant QEWETHER then proceeded to cross-examine the Rev. Angus Barton. The , :i , tness stated that he polled early on tha first day, and had no difficulty in doing so. Saw Lord John Scott and Col. Macdonald in the To wer I nn i n th e evening. They were perfectly safe . , •e he heard Admiral and untouched as f ar as h e cou ld see. Th e place w 1;:. Elliott haranguing the mo b was a h ouse t o the left of the Tower Inn. Cannot say how long the military remained in Hawick, as he bat shy iv after their arrival. Did not see the military till he was leaving the town. Colonel PdacnoNat n resided at Powder Hall, in the county of Edin burgh ; is a Magistrate of the county of Roxburgh ; was Chairman of the Conservative Committee at the election, which took place in Hawick, in Jan., 1835 ; Lord John Scott was returned at that election. Mr. TITESSIGER.—As Chairman of that Committee, had you an op portunity of becoming acquainted with what took place in Hawick pre vious to that election ? Mr. Sergeant MEREwE'ruga said that his Learned Friend was now entering into a line of examination from which he was virtually ex eluded by the resolutions of the Committee. Mr. TIIESSIGER said that this was what he had apprehended would be the result of the resolution come to by the Committee. When he had proposed to give evidence of the riots which had taken place at the elec tion for 1835, in order to show that the rioting, which had taken place at the last election, was part of a premeditated system of violonce and intimidation against the Conservative electors, he was told by the Corn. mittee not to go into that question then, but to proceed at once to the rioting which had taken place at the last election, and to leave the evi. dente of the previous riots to a future day. His Learned Friend said that the resolution of the Committeeprecluded him from going into such evidence at all. Now, he diff2red with hint altogether as to the con. struction which he had put upon the resolution. Mr. Sergeant MEREWETHER submitted that what he had stated as the principle of the decision was correct, and that in pursuance of that decision his Learned Friend ought not to he allowed to proceed to give evidence of the riots of 1835. The room was then ordered to be cleared, and on our readmission the Chairman announced that the Committee had decided that Counsel for petitioners should confine themselves to the riots which took place at the election for 1837. Mr. AUSTIN said that he would wish to know to what extent this re solution went. The Lort, ADVOCATE, with respect to the immediate effect of the re solution, understood it was the opinion of the Committee that many attempts had been made by Counsel to go beyond the matte:, at issue on this petition, and they wished them to confine themselves to the proof of the allegations which affected the return of the sitting Member. Mr. MARSH ALL said the Learned Gentleman wished them to come to a resolution with respect to evidence, which it must entirely depend upon the nature of the evidenc,: itself whether they should receive or not. The examination of Colonel Macdonakl was then resumed. His evi. dence was a mere corroboration of what had been stated over and over again by the other witnesses ; and at length was interrupted by Mr. lIALL, who said that he felt it his duty, as a member of the Com mittee, to express the opinion which he entertained of the course pur sued by Counsel for the petitioners. If they had any new matter to lay before the Committee they wou!d be most anxious to hear it, but they could not see the utility of gsing over the same ground so often. Mr. SMITH said that the course he was now pursuing was that which appeared to Counse; far petitioners, that which, on mature reflection, they ought to adopt, and the responsibility of it rested on their 6113111- ders, and not upon the gentlemen from whom they had received their instructions. The LORD ADVOCATE then directed Mr. Smith to proceed with the examination, which was not, however, pursued much further. Lord John S. was then cilia, and examined as to the particulars of the attack on the mail in which his Lordship and Colonel Macdonald were passengers. He corroborated the account given of that affair by the other witnesses; and stated that shortly after the coach was stopped, Mr. Baillie Wilson opened the door, and offered his protection to them if they would venture out. The Baillie appeared very much excited. They got out of the mach, took the Bsillie's arm, and were walking away with him, when they were surrounded and hustled by the mob. They succeeded, however, in getting into a baker's shop. It was then proposed that if a lane could be made through the crowd from the shop to the Tower Inn, that they should venture there. This was accord ingly done, and they crossed over about half_past twelve or one o'clock. Witnessed from the windows of the Tower Inn the riotous and tumultuous conduct of the mob. Removed there that night. The windows of the Inn were smashed, and great confusion prevailed in the street during the night. Did not leave the Tower Inn until after the close of the poll on the following day. The violence which he wit. nessed was undoubtedly sufficient to intimidate and deter the voters from going to the poll. Cross-examincd.—During the first day several voters went up and polled fur Mr. Scott, but how many he could not say. They went from time to time from the Tower Inn to the polling booth pretty re gularly, until about the period at which *Mr. M'Conachy voted. Be. lieves that it was pretty well known at the close of the first day's polling that Mr. Elliot had a large majority at Hawick. Loft the Tower Inn in a chaise at the close of the second day's polling, and after the military had left. Mr. ANDREWS—It was stated by a forarsr witness that your Lard_ ship was smoking a cigar when you went away ?—(Laughter.) Lord John Scott—l really cannot recollect; it is probable I was, as I very often smoke cigars. Mr. AN DaEws— It is a proof, if you were, that your Lordship was tolerably at your ease. Mr. Rutherford was then called, and produced the lists, as amended, 'by order of the Committee of the electors in the several districts of Ilawick, Jedburgh, and Kelso, who had not polled at the last election ; distinguishing those who were dead, those whose names were expunged at the registration which took place subsequent to the election fur 1837, and those who had double. votes. Witness alto produced the poll.bocks of the election for 1833, which were tendered as evidence by Mr. Thcs siger, of the numbers who had polled at that election. Mr. Sergeant MEaEWETTIEI: objected to the poll-books being re ceived, as they were excluded by the terms of the re.,ohition. The Committee had decided that they would not go into the circumsta"ces of the election of 183.5, and unless those circumstances were game into, the evidence tendered would be totally unintelligible. Mr. HALL said that for his part he was totally averse to going into the guest Lin of the former election at all, and he thought that the poll books ought not to be received, as he could not, for the reason which he had stated, draw the deduction from them that was sought to be established. The room was then clnial, and, after a few minutes' deliberation, The CitAtamAN stated thattyhe Committee had come to a resolution, in which they were unanimous, that the poll-books of 1335 ought not to be received. Mr. George Potts, one of the agents of Mr. Scott, was then examined s to the adjournment of the poll by the Sheriff; and as to the voting in the booth ; but his evidence went merely to corroborate that of the other witnesses. On a question being put to witness as to the result of the canvass of Mr. Scott, it was 'objected to by Mr. Sergeant Merewether; and after some discussion, the Committee decided that It should not be put. The Committee adjourned directly after four, to Coen o'clock tc.. morrow morning (this day). NATURAL AFFECTION.—An odd scene took place a few days ago in Bishopsgate Workhouse. An old fellow, who had been an inhabitant of tl.e parish several years ago, arid who had left his only child, a daughter, at the age of five years, in the workl;ouse, upon the bounty of the parish, was passed home from the country, and was immediately re cognized as the worthless man who had not only deserted his child, but never made any inquiry after her welfare. It hap pened that the daughter proved to be worthy of a better sire, and was placed in a good service, where she conducted . herself well. The girl, fr om a grate f u l f ee li ng t owar d s th e mistress of the workhouse, who acted kindly to her in her desolate state, used to call at the house, and in she walked while her parent was undergoing the necessary examination. " You say," said the overseer to him, " that you had no daughter, why here she is." " No, no," cried the father, looking at the girl, " I an't got never a child. I don't know the young woman." The authorities against the father's statement were so nume rous and overwhelming, that the old man at last said, " Well, I could'nt support her, and I thought it the best was to leave her with the parish." The girl, after looking at him with tears in her eyes for some time, said, " Well, you have been no father to me, but let us shake hands at any rate." The father then held out his hand and said, " There, good bye. I could'nt kelp it, I'm blowed." So completely and firmly Was the river Severn frozen last week, that on the Friday and Saturday the cricket-players of Bewdley amused themselves by having several strong-contested games thereon. Such a circum stance is not remembered to have before token place by the oldest inhAitants.—Ten Towns' Messenger. Marshal Oudinot has recently experienced a slight attack of paralysis. INSURANCE COMPANIES. 256.0068 h. 61 p. ct. ScoWsh Union 9 0/. lb h. 11. pd 24$ - ,500 61 p. ct. Hercules lOO/. t.h. 10/. pd 131 hss 100,000 sp. et. Insurance Co. of Scotland ....10/. sh. all pd 815 s 1001. all. psi 1.1110. 50.00 Q 6 P. ct. North British 2001. sh. 101 . 161. 5 1,: i s ,00 10 5 6 p p .. e c t t .. C Ed al i fid rib o u n r i g a h n I Flr re e 100/. sh' 101. 10 1 . IA Ivl Os 100,00 it et. West or Scotland . .. . 10/ pd MISCELLANE6I3 . Z .'"* " .. " . " gs ------------- 4,810 ...... ... jdin. and thas. Un. Canal 50/. sh. all pd 21/. Ditto Allocated wt. sh. all pd Obi. 5,400 5 per cent. Edinh. Joint Stock Water 25/. sh. all pd 854 Carron Iron Company 2501. sh. all pd 452 2 000th 15 per cent. Sliotts Iron Foundery 501. sh 38/. pd 441 10,000 3 per cunt. Edinburgh & Leith Glass 2O/. sh. 161. pd 81 4,500 10 per cent. Edinburgh Coal Gas 251. sh. all pd 5,/ 4,450 10 per cent. Glasgow Gas 251. sh. all pd 611 750 71 per cont. Leith Coal Gas ~..:20!. sh. all pd 451 1;206 Edinburgh and Dalkeith Rai'way...so/. sh 60). MOO 5 per cent. Equitable Loan Company...W. oh o 94 pd 101-. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF COMMONS, FER. 14. Mr. SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour. PETERSFIELD COMMITTEE. The Chairman of this Committee (Colonel Cavendish) appeared at the bar, and reported that Mr. Jolliffe was not duly elected : that Mr. Hector was duly elected : and that neither the petition, nor the opposition to it, was frivolous or vexatious. SITTINGBOURNE IMPROVEMENT BILL. Si, E. KNATCHBULL presented the Report on this Bill. TIIE BALLOT. Sir R. FERGUSON presented a petition from Notting ham, complaining of intimidation on the part of Landed Pro prietors, and prayinc , for the protection of the Ballot. Mr. THORNLOY presented a petition from 1,500 Elec tors of Wolverhampton, to the same effect. Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY presented a petition from 300 Electors of Cheltenham, to the same effect. Mr. P. SCROPE presented a petition from the Borough of Stroud, signed by 2,100 inhabitants of that Borough, to the same effect. REDUCTION OF POSTAGE. Sir R. FERGUSON presented a petition from Notting ham, complaining of the present high rates of Postage. Mr. ING HAM presented a petition from Berwick-upon- Tweed, signed by the Common Council of that town, com plaining of the present boundaries fixed by the Municipal Cor poration Act. VOTE BY BALLOT. Mr. HODGE S presented several petitions from the West ern Division of the County of Kent, in favour of Vote by Bal lot, and a similar petition from the Eastern Division of the same county. Mr. WILLIAMS presented four petitions from parishes in the county of Carmarthen, in favour of the Vote by Bal lot. The Hon. Member said that one of the petitions was signed by sixty-four out of sixty-seven electors, and another stated that during the last election they had been subject to coercion and intimidation, and strongly urged the House to prevent a recurrence of such practices. Colonel SALWEY presented petitions from Stone-ward, Castle-ward, and Welsh-ward, in the borough of Shrewsbury, praying for Vote by Ballot. The first was signed by 156 persons, the second by 189, and the third by 128. The Hon. Member said, that entertaining a strong belief that Vote by Ballot would be the means of diminishing corruption, he had great pleasure in presenting these petitions to the House. Captain WE Al YSS presented a petition from Fifeshire in favour of the Vote by Ballot ; also a petition in favour of Mr. Hill's plan of Post-office Reform. Sir W. SOME R VILLE presented a petition from the town of Drogheda in favour of Vote.by Ballot. Mr. WAKLEY presented a petition from Shefferton, in Bedfordshire, in favour of Vote by Ballot; also a petition from a numerous body of the inhabitant householders of Guis borough, in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The petitioners prayed for Vote by Ballot, and also for an Extension of the Suffrage, and they complained of the great bribery and cor ruption that had prevailed at the last general election. Mr. W. DUNCOMBE begged to ask the Hon. Member whether the petition referred to the late election for the North Riding of Yorkshire. Mr..W A KL EY said if the Hon. Member wished it, the pe tition might be read at length by the Clerk. There was a ge neral charge of corruption during the late elections, which no one would venture, he believed, to deny. The Hon. Member then presented a petition from St. George's and St. Giles's, Bloomsbury, in favour of the Vote by Ballot. Mr. ETWALL presented a petition from Andover to the same effect. Mr. B A RNA R D presented a petition from Deptford against the Negro Apprenticeship System. Mr. DIVETT presented a petition from the city of Exeter, signed by 1,600 inhabitants of that city, in favour of the Vote by Ballot. Lord HENNIKER presented a petition from the ship owners of Southwold, praying that the Shipping Gazette might be transmitted free of postage. Colonel DAVIS presented a petition from Worcester, in favour of the Vote by Ballot. Mr. BLEWITT presented a petition from Monmouth, signed by 880 individuals, in favour of the abolition of Negro slavery. Lord CHARLES RUSSELL presented a petition from a c ins s u t h n e d county er7l. a- y o e f a r Bedfo rd, might be p p r a a i y d i n b g y t t h h e at l a t n h d e l 0 r r d a s te . s o n cP °a rt Ar ti f as r ig' . MILES presented a petition from Somerset to the same effect. Mr. BARNEBY presented a petition praying that the Housethe andMan. for Bishopric Mr. SANDFORD presented petitions from two parishes in the county of Somerset, praying for the vote by Ballot. Sir R. INGLIS presented petitions from the clergy of Berks and other places, against the suppression of the Bishopric of Sodor and Man. Mr. WALKER presented petitions from the merchants and shipowners of Wexford, praying for a reduction of the duty on Marine Insurances, Corporate Reform, and the Vote by Ballot. Captain MIND A S presented a petition in favour of the Vote by Ballot. \ Lord SANI)ON presented a petition from Liverpool, prny ing fur a reduction of the rates of postage.—Referred to the Committee on the Post-office. Mr. PEASE presented a petition from Enniscorthy, and other places, praying the House to adopt measures for the purpose of doing away with the Negro apprenticeship system. CALL OF THE HOUSE. Mr. HINDLE Y gave notice that he should to-morrow move a Cali of the House on the debate upon the Poor Laws next Tuesday. EXTENSION OF THE SUFFRAGE. Mr. HUME presented a petition from the inhabitants of Bo!ton-le- Moo! s and its vicinity, in the County Palatine of Lan caster. It wa‘ signed by 4,800 persons, and the petitioners stated they had been accustomed to look on the Reform act as an ex perimental measure, which from time to time would recitire-to-lacr amended, to keep pace with the improved condition of society. They had waited patiently in the hope that the House would effect those reforms that were considered necessary ; and that they had learned with regret those amendments had virtually been denied by the recont declaration of Lord John Russell. They considered that the principle of a property qualification ought, if admitted at all, to be carried out; and that all house holders should be entrusted with the franchise. CRINDING FOREIGN FLOUR IN BOND. Mr. G. F. YOUNG presented a petition from merchants, millers, and factors, sta'ing thnt they could prove that the landed interests had sustained an immense loss in consequence of refusing to admit foreign corn to be ground in bond ; and praying the House to grant an inquiry into the subject, and to pass a Bill, of which notice had already been given by an Hon. Member, for admitting foreign corn to be ground in bond. IRELAND.—BALLOT—UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE. Mr. O'CONNII.I. presented a number of petitions from various parts of Ireland in favour of the Ballot, the extinction of Tithes, and the extension of the Suffrage. Also a peti tion from the fishermen on the Suir, complaining of encroach ments on their privileges. BALLOT. Sir H. VERNEY gave notice that he should not move, on the motion of the Iron. Member fur London (Mr. Grote) for the Ballot, an amendment, that it be experimental, and nut permanent ; because it would prevent the opinion of the Howe from being taken on the Ballot. If, however, the motion was car ried for the Ballot, he should move an instruction to the Com mittee to the off. ct he had stated. If not, he should give notice of a motion for establishing the Ballot pro hoc vice, as an experiment. Mr. PRY NIE presented petitions from the towns of Bolton and Chester, in favour of the Ballot. LONGFORD ELECTION. Mr. CA YLE Y, the Chairman of the Committee appointed to try the merits of the Longford Election petition, appeared at the bar with the report of the Committee, which declared the sitting Members, Luke White and Henry White, Esqrs., duly elected, and that neither the petition or the opposition to it was frivolous or vexatious. The Hon. Member said he was further instructed by the Committee to report, that although they felt the fullest confidence as to the justice of their own decision against opening the registry in Ireland, they could not but perceive with regret the many conflicting decisions which had been given on this point, and begged to call the early atten tion of the House to a matter of such pressing importance. The, lion. Member also presented two petitions to the same effect from the counties of Armagh and Galway. The Hon. Member presented a petition from an individual named of Manchester-buildings, Westminster, who stated tShtaehtPfoernseveral years he hid paid great attention to the Poor la‘is at Mile-cnd and in Essex, and he prayed the House not to make any alteration but what would improve the Bill. He stated several facts in support of the prayer of the petition, in which be (Mr. Cayley) entirely concurred, and which he considered deserving the attention of the House. The peti tion was referred to the Poor-law Committee. on from an indivi dualeMr. CRE SWELL p resented a p etition from Liver p ool, com plaining of t he hi g h rate of p osta g e, and p ra y in g that a lossr . i named r ‘ ate Ae mightKi sIN b Goulburn,e substitutedo onthe presented subject a for u b jc it. e irp t titi w hich was ordered to be p rinted with the Votes . of the French claims,lot. mr. LA NIBTON presented petitions from th e count i es o f D u rham and Northu mberCANADAland, in favour of the V o t e b y Ballot. Mr. lIU - I 1 E gave notice that on Tuesday next he would f o r copies of all letters that had passed b e t ween M essrs. movellume' Roebuck, and others in Great Brit a i n , an d M ons. Papi,i,au M Kenzie, and Dr. Du n c om b e i n Canada.— ies of " Henr, hear.") (Loud cr SLIGO ELECTION. Th e Order of the Day for the further con-dderation of the P P. Somers, Esq., havi ng b een rea d , SHFIELD contended th a t t h e preliminary objection fiZ w jE. hich had been tak e n t o t h e petition could Ileri. 1 n t tNilt° b ?‘ sustained ; and he would show that the by the lion. Member for Roscommon. In one tice o f the , house had been contrary to that a petition bad been signed by six persons, and it was admitted by a witness, whom the sitting Member intended to all, Oct the pm tition was not bona fide, but had been signed a c t the instance of others. The Committee, however, had de cided that, with respect to the five to whom that charge ap plied, tliey were not petitioners; but, as a witness had seen the sixth petitioner within two days of the sitting of the when the petitioner had expressed his hope b that Committee, p etition would succeed, that was held by the House the i - i c i r s ga t c6 a ' n e c st e ed to be a s ufficient interest in the subject.—( Hear, hear.) In t h e Nottinghan case a similar judgment Was entertained. In two cases objections were made that there was not a suffi cient description in the petition of the character in which the petitioner claimed to have the right to petition, and in those cases the Committee decided that inasmuch as the petitioa had been received by the House, they were bound to proceed upon it ; and they therefore decided against the preliminary objection. Mr. Fox afterwards in that House, upon petition, having seen a defect, moved that the petition should not be proceeded upon. A long debate took placo. The Attorney-General objected to the House taking the discussion, on the ground that the subject was one for the consideration of an Election Committee, and the House de cided in favour of Mr. Fox's motion. He would not detain the House further, except to say that if ever there was a case that was proper to be brought before an Election Committee it was where the signatures were disputed, because the House did not allow election petitions to proceed, unless they were properly subscribed. Mr. F. FRENCH was sure that the Hon. Member oppo site would do him the justice to say that he had made no such statements as he had alluded to. He had never stated that a Committee could not take cognizance of tha sig natures to a petition. He was quite aware of the Nottingham case, and of the other cases to which the Ilon. Member had referred ; but he felt satisfied that the proper course to adopt was to bring the subject under the consideration of the House. Mr. W. W. WYNN said that it appeared to him that the present was not only an investigation which a Select Com mittee might entertain, but he thought the House was absolutely bound to send the subject to such a tribunal. Nothing could be gained by an inquisition before the House. The Committee was to be balloted for to-morrow, and it must at once take cognizance of the allegations made against the genuineness of the signatures. If it was not the petition of the parties, then the Committee would give the sitting Mem ber the costs of his defence. Mr. O'CONNEL I, thought the petition had better be referred to a Select Committee, because the whole House would be as clumsy a jury as it was possible to invent.— ( llear, hear, and laughter.) He himself had never desired to be a judge.—( Renewed laughter.) If the signsture was not the signature of Mr. Tyler, an elector, but the signature of somebody else who had assumed the name of Tyler, it was a signature that could not be recognised. If the matter were referred to a Select Committee, the real merits of the case would be thoroughly investigated. The SPEAKER thought it would be admitted by all parties, that if an individual's name was forged in any petition presented to the House, that was a breach of the pri vileges of the House ; and if a petition was presented to the House containing such an allegation, it stated that which the House would recognise as a breach of privilege. This was a petition on which discussion could not be refused, inasmuch as it complained of a breach of privilege; but it was a very different matter when looked at in connection with the Grenville Act, be cause, according to the Grenville Act, no cognizance could be taken of an election petition, except by law, as Minis terial—for the purpose of transmitting the petition to the tribunal appointed by law for deciding on the petition. If it was laid on the table without any no tice at the time, it was afterwards looked at for the purpose of ascertaining on whom notice of it had been served, and the House fixed a day on whijh it should be taken into consideration. If a Committee found that the name of one individual was forged in a petition, they would report that circumstance to the House ; and on the report being made to the House, a Select Committee would probably be appointed, before which evidence on oath might be taken, to establish the fact. If a Committee found that all the names were for geries, they could not proceed to try a petition which was not signed according to the provisions of the Act. The House was in this case placed in this situation. On the one hand a peti tion was presented, discussion upon which could not be refused ; and on the other band it was a great inconvenience to have such a petition discussed within forty-eight hours of the sitting (we believe) of the Electron Committee. Mr. FRENCH said it had always been the usual course, in cases of this nature, to refer them to a Select Committee. Mr. W. W. WYNN wished to explain that neither directly nor indirectly had he any communication with the Honourable Member for Sligo, or with any other Honourable Member, as to the course which he pursued; for he was not aware that the question would come on, and did not therefore come down to the House till near six o'clock. He would not have taken the objection, but that he felt a judi cial question of this kind ought not to be left to the considera tion of the House, and that he was bound to state the point as it occurred to him at the time. Colonel PERCE VAL felt it his duty to state, for the information of his Honourable Friend the Member for Ros common, and for the information of the House, that he never was more astonished than by the speech of the Honourable Member for Penryn, and never regretted anything more than that he should have interrupted the course of proceeding last night, or indeed that any propo sition of the kind should emanate from that side of the House. He felt, however, that there was a difficulty in bringing this matter before a Select Committee ; and for this reason he was anxious that the witnesses should be called to the bar of the House, and a decision given upon it forthwith. He hope d that his Hon. Friend did not think that he was capable of going about to canvass Hon. Members, to screen him against the consequences of any proposition which he thought proper to make to the House. Mr, WARBURTON hoped the flon. Member would withdraw the petition, as he thought it would be a far more convenient course for the Election Committee to decide upon the question at issue. Lord MORPETII concurred with his lion. Friend, that if the Election Committee had a jurisdiction to inquire into the signatures of the petition, that the matter had better bo referred to it, Mr. P. FRENCH said, that as it seemed to be the wish of the House, he would withdraw his motion.—(Loud cries of " No, nu," from the Tory benches.) As he had been advised to do so by so many Members, he hoped the House would allow him.—(Cries of " No, no," " Divide, divide," from the Tories.) Mr, Sergeant JACKSON hoped the house would not allow the motion to be withdrawn, " as we" (said the Hon. and Learned Member) " are prepared to prove the genuine. ness, by witnesses who saw every witness sign the petition, arid the inquiry would not take ten minutes." Mr. W. W. WYNN moved that the Order be discharged ; wh.ch being seconded, the House ided— For discharging the order Against it Majority against discharging the order —l4 Mr. WARLIURTON thought th greatest inconvenience would arise from adopting the course proposed. The deci sion of the Election Committee would be that on which the final judgment would turn. He entirely agreed in all the objections urged by the two Hon. Members opposite, and wished again to point out the inconvenience which alight at ise from having two contradictory decisions—one of the House, and the other of the Committee. He therefore moved that the witnesses be not called in.—( Cries of " Question," and " Divide." Mr: FRENCH trusted the Hon. Member for l3ridport (Mr. Warburton) would not persist in his motion. The in convenience would not be exactly as he had stated, for if the House decided these names to be forgeries, the petition would fall to the ground.—( Hear. ) Mr. WYNN believed it would not fall to the ground.— ( Hear, hear.) Mr. FRENCH said a few words amidst loud cries of " Question." Mr. O'CONNELL thought it would be a waste of the time of the House to divide again. He submitted to the deci sion which had taken place.—( Hear, hear.) Mr. WYNN said the House had made an Order,' and if it was not acquiesced in, the greatest inconvenience might arise hereafter.—( Hear.) The great inconvenience he ap prehended was, that if the Houso determined that the signa tures were not forgeries, a S e l ect C omm i ttee m i g h t then en quire into the matter, and afterwards report that they were forgeries.—( Cries of" Question.") The SPEAKER then dheeted the Serjeant-at-Arms to inquire if the witnesses were in attendance, and shortly after wards the witness appeared at the bar. The SPEAKER—What is your naroc 7—Michael Gallagher. What is your station in life 7.—A merchant. By Mr. F. FRENCH—Where do you reside?—in the town of Sligo. How long have you lived there ?—I have always resided there : I was born in Sligo. I suppose for 20 or 30 years ?—For 30 years. Do you know Robert George Tyler 7—Yes. Have you known him long?—_l suppose for seventeen or eighteen years. Can you tell me, is he an elector fur the borough of Sligo 7- -Yes, I know him to be so. Is there any other person resident in Sligo of the name of George Robert 'Tyler?-1 know there is not. Are you acquainted with the handwriting of George Robert Tyler ?—I have seen him write frequently. I have been a party concerned in deeds with him. [The three petitions were then brought by the Clerk froz the tab!e, and handed to the ttitness.] Is that the petition of the 27th_that you have in your hand ? —Yes it is. Is that petition signed in the handwriting of George Ro bert Tyler ?—I don't think it is ; it is not in the style of Mr. Tyler's handmiting. There is a peculiarity in the way in which he writes the letter G in George. In making that let ter he brings up the hair stroke so as to form the top of the letter I'. Mr. O'CONNELL—Is that the way in which he always writes it ?—Yes, always. This is different to what I over saw him write. Mr. F. FRENCH—Have you in your posses , ion any docu ment to which the name of Mr. Tyl er i s signed ?—Yes, I have a legal instrument in my possession. Have you any letters ?_Y cs . I suppose you have them ready to produce ?—Yes, I have. Well then will you ba good enough to produce them ? ,Ir. Sergeant JACKSON objected to the production of the letters, on the ground that they were not legitimate evidence. The witness was ordered to withdraw, and Mr. Sergeant JACK SON again made his objection. Mr. O'CONNEL L could nut but remark, that when any objections were made to the reception of evidence, it was always made against the justice of the case, and was thrown out for the purpose of preventing that light being thrown upon the case which its p ro d uc ti on wou ld h ave a ff or d e d. It certainly was a principle of law that handwriting was not to be proved by com p ar i son . Th e w i tness h a d g i ve n his belief that the hand wr iti ng was not t h at o f M r . T y l er . That was the only evidence that could be given to negative the handwriting. The only way to get at legal . evidence with respect to th e h an d wr i t i ng, w as by the witness comparing in his own mind one handwriting with the other. —(Hear, hear.) The witness had done so, and he now proposed to give the House the same opportunity of judging which he had himself, namely, by the production of the deeds and documents, which are undoubtedly in the hand-writing of Mr. Tyler. He saw no objection to the House arriving at a proper proof by allowi ng t h e w i tness to p ro d uce t h o docu mentsin his possession. Mr. WOUL FE thought ti:at the witness ought to be al lowed to produce the documents. Mr. LITTON would like to hear from the Speaker what course in his opinion ought to be pursued. A witness ought not to arrive at a belief as to handwriting from a mere com parison of two documents—though there was no doubt he had a right to assist his recollection by it. Mr. F. FRENCH rose amidst loud cries of "Go on." He wanted to know from the Chair what he was to do. He had never intended to look at the signatures, and then form his belief. He was the witness to the document, and would prove the handwriting of Mr. Tyler to it. The House would then compare them, and form their own opinion. The witness was again called to the bar. Mr. FRENCH. —What is that paper you are prepared to produce?-_A renewal of a lease. By whom is it witnessed?—l am a party to it. I saw Mr. Tyler put his signature to it. I was present on the occasions being a party to this deed. In reply to questions by Mr. WARBURTON, the witness further stated that the date on the back of the petition, td which the name; which he believed not to be in Mr. Tyler's waiting, was affixed, was the 27th of November, 1837. To Mr. O'CONNELL—Mr. Tyler was about 48 years of age ; and be had not seen him write since 1835. To Mr. JACKSON—The same individual might write differently at different times; but he did not think that there would be a difference between a signature on parchment and on paper—at least he did not perceive it. To Mr. FRENCH—The deed of attornment which he held was on parchment. The witness then, in reply to further questions from Mr. FRENCH, deposed that the signature of Mr. Tyler on the petition of the 12th of December, 1837, and that on the peti tion of the 21st also, was in his handwriting, or at all events much more like it than that on the one of the 27th of Novem ber. He then proceeded to explain the peculiarity of Mr. Tyler's handwriting, and stated, in reply to question; put by Sir W. FOLLETT, that his disbelief of the contested signa ture's authenticity arose from the circumstances of the want of connection between the last letter of the second Christian narae of that gentleman and the first letter of his sirname, as we',l as from the entire name being written in a more cramped. stylo than that employed by him. The witness then handed in some notes on business which he had received at various times from Mr. Tyler, to serve as a guide to the House in any comparison it might institute in the course of the inquiry. In reply to a question put by Mr. LITTON, t h e w i tness went on to say that h e h a d heard of the allegation of forgery against the petition in December last, while he was in Ireland; and that, though part of the time a resident in the same town, Sligo, as Mr. Tyler, and though he had had letters from Mr. Somers, the sitting Member, and his agent, to call on Mr. Tyler on the subject, he had not done so, because he did not meet him during his stay there.—The witness then withdrew. Mr. Sergeant JACKSON then inquired whether the Hon. Member for Roscommon intended to call any more witnesses; and, being answered in the negative, moved that John Lockett be called to the bar on the part of the defence. John Lockett being called to the bar, accordingly deposed that he was a solicitor, resident in Dublin, and professionally concerned in relation to the petition at issue. The petition (that of the 27th of November, 1837,) w as then handed to him. In reply to questions put by Mr. Sergeant JACKSON, the witness proceeded to state that he knew the signature of Mr. Tyler to be genuine, because he had seen him write it himself, in his own office, in. Dublin, with a metallic pen.—( Laughter.) Mr. Sergeant JACKSON then asked the Chair, was there any question as to the identity of the other signatures to the petition ?—( Cries of " No, no.") In reply to questions put by the Attorney -General and Mr. French, the witness then entered into a. long and very circum stantial account of the proceedings relative to the petition, previous and subsequent to its signature by Mr. Tyler, for the purpose of proving its identity with the one in question—that of the 27th of November. The witness was then ordered to withdraw. Colonel PERCEVAL then said that it was his intention to offer evidence of the authenticity of the other two signatures, if the House thought it necessary, as on the petition theit tried there were doubts raised of their genuine character. (Cries of " No, no.") The ATTORNEY -GENERAL said that no doubts worth removing had been raised in regard to the other signatures. There was certainly a dissimilarity in the writing by compari son, in consequence, perhaps, of a steel pen having been used ; but as a witness, whose character was above suspicion, had stated that he saw Mr. Tyler write the name in question, he thought the House should be satisfied. Mr. FRENCH said that the statement of the witness woo perfectly satisfactory to him, and under the cireumstances he should not think of proceeding any further in the case. Colonel PERCEVAL wished to know what the Hoe. Member for Roscommon meant to do in the matter o f the other petition then pending. Mr. FRENCH replied that he had nothing further to saY to the matter. • Mr. SHAW said that, as a distinct allegation of forgery against the petition appeared on the books of the House, and as that allegation had been entertained by them, it was also but right that some resolution contravening that charge should be entered on them likewise. Under these circumstances he should move a resolution to the effect that the House was of opinion that the allegations contained in the petition had not been sustained. Mr. FRENCH did not know that such a course would be completely justifiable towards the petitioners. Mr, SHAW then moved that the petition of John Somers, &c., had not been sustained by evidence. —Agreed to neer. con. Sir W. FOLLETT inquired if the Hon. Member for Liskeard intended to bring Forward his Bill respecting con troverted elections, which stood on the list for this evening ? Mr. C. BULL ER declined proceeding with this very im portant Bill in the absence of the Noble Lord the Member for Stroud, and the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for T arn.. worth. The business on Wednesday evenings was not very interesting, and if he proceeded with his, he might have the mortification of findi ng hi mself counted out.,--( A laugh.) Notn pb Wednesdayo e n in e g i a t Governm en t e i r s nm to e o nt m evenings, eallns du important retl,l eh tneo e m b, ee u rsyt discussedba o li d v y a y s s ai b di i n .! n ‘su c i h t h i i n )es o t a thin House."—( A laugh.) H o f e l t i t to be a great hardship, b u t would postp one it t ill to-morrow, to make some further ar rangement for its actual progress. Colonel PE RC EVA L informed the Noble Secretary for Ireland that he had seen the last Dublin Evening Post (a paper known to contain official intelligence) an Irish As sizes list, in which no mention was made of the time the Sligo Assizes commence. Lord MORPETH: informed him that he had seen that de ficiency rectified in the Dublin Evening Mail of the Sltllo date (a paper which the Gallant Colonel would doubtless deem of higher authority), a li st o f t h e Assizes, i n w hi c h it enter Sligo on was stated th a t t h e J udges would ent the Bth of March. Colonel PE RCE VAL inquired when the Attorney-General for Ireland intended to introduce his Bill for amending the law for the registration of voters? The ATTORNEY -GENERAL for Ireland replied, °L I Tuesday next. Mr. P. M A HONY moved the second reading of the Cork Assizes Bill, by which he hoped to give effect to the Acts of 1793, and 1824, and 1836, and extend the power of the Lord Lieutenant to create additional ridings, and establish additional Sessions therein, in the county of Cork. Mr. JEPIISON complained that the county Cork, and all the other Members returned by it, were taken by surprise, by a stranger's attempt at legislation. None of them were con sulted in the filming of the Bill, and none of them could un derstand it. He would rather the Government would take the matter into their o.vn hands, and divide the county Cork into districts sufficiently small and numerous for the proper admi nistiation of justice. Mr. SHAW agreed with the last speaker, and wished to know of the Noble Secretary for Ireland if the Government sanctioned this wholesale lsgislation for Ireland ? The Hon. Member for Kinsale had six Bills on the paper to-night.— ( Laughter. ) Mt O'CONNELL explained that the Bill of 1824 divided the county of Cork into two ridings, with five sessions each. These were far too few for a county possessing a population of 154,000—exceeding that of four other Irish counties together. The Bill of 1836 gave power to the Lord Lieutenant to esta blish additional sessions in counties, but not to alter the ridings already established or create additional ones—the thing wanted in Cork, and the object of this Bill. As matters stood a m an in Bearhaven would have to travel from 45 to 70 miles to settle a wrangle about five shillings.—(Laughter.) lie proposed that the s econ d rea di ng b e postponed t i ll that day eoe k, t o af ford hi m th e opportunity o f conv i ncing the Hon. Mem b er for Mallow of its utility, and th a t i t was t h e very t hi ng h e wanted. —( Laughter.) Lord MORPETH could not reply to the question respect inge th e w h o l esa l e l eg i s l at i on b rought forward b y t h e 1 - 1 e Member for Kins a l e —( A l aug h)— an d t h oug h t t h a t the Hous e must decide, for it se lf on t h e mer i t o f eac h as i t w as brought forward.—( Hear.) There was, however, sufficient difference, amongst those who ou g ht t o k now b est , respect i ng the present measure, to reader it expedi en t t o re f er i t to a S e lect Commit' tee.—( Hear.) After some further observations from Messrs. Mahony, Goul burn, Woulfe, and Jackson, Mr. MA HONY said that he would be satisfied if the Go vernment would take up the question. On the suggestion of Lord MORPETH, the further consi deration of the measure was postponed for three weeks. CHURCH PROPERTY ( IRELAND) BILL. Mr. M AHONY moved the second reading of the Church Property Bill f ur I re l an d , and proposed that if a secon d read ing should b e agreed to, the Bill should be referre d to a Se lect Committee. Mr. SHAW sa id that as he totally disagreed from th e prin ciple of th e Bill, he sho u ld o pp ose net only the second read in of th e Bill, but also the r e f e r r i ng i t t o a Select Comm . tee. H e t h ere f ore moved, as an amendment, that it b e rea d a second time that day six months. Mr. O'CONNELL supported the amendment, as be did not think th e H ouse had any right to interfere with the pro perty of th e C o ll ege of Dublin, or of any other cor porate body.—( Cheers. ) Mr. LITTON also supported the amendment. Lord MORPETII said that he could not sanction any _ a in terference w i t h the property of corporate bodies i n s uch manner as thi s Bill proposed, without the consent of the pr. ties interested r opposed to th e measure , h e co uld not sanction and, as he understood the Provost of Trinity.t College was Mr. LEFROY agreed with the Hon. and Learned Me tz ' ber for th e U n i versity of Dublin in the oppos i t i on he b g.iren to this Bill, arid in the grounds of that opposition. The am en d ment was then agreed to w i t h out a di v i s ion, and the Bill consequently lost.